Old edition of NCERT Books are still high in demand in terms of UPSC IAS Exam Preparation because it has extensive coverage of the topics given in the UPSC IAS Exam syllabus. The IAS aspirants find it difficult to get an old edition NCERT book from market due to its unavailability in the market.
Here, we have provided Multiple Choice Questions of Ancient Indian History which have been created from the old edition of NCERT book, go and check your level of your Preparation of IAS Prelims Exam.
1. Consider the following statement about Timur, a West Asian ruler of fifteenth century:
I. After the disintegration of the Mongol empire in the fourteenth century, Timur united Iran and Tutan under one rule once again.
II.Timur's empire extended from the lower Volga to the river Indus, and included Asia Minor (modern Turkey), Iran, Trans-Oxiana, Afghanistan and a part of the Punjab.
III.Timur died in 1404, but his grandson, Shahrukh Mirza (d. 1448), was able to keep intact a large part of his empire.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a.Only I
b.I and II
c.II and III
d.All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Timur, historically known as Tamerlane, was a Turko-Mongol conqueror and the founder of the Timurid Empire in Persia and Central Asia. He was also the first ruler in the Timurid dynasty.
2. Among of the following states, Babur had able to succeed only at the age of 14?
a.Iran
b.Delhi
c.Fargana
d.Lahore
Answer: c
Explanation:
In 1494, at the young age of 14, Babur succeeded to Farghana, a small state in Trans-Oxiana. Oblivious of the Uzbek danger, the Timurid princes were busy fighting one another. Babur, too, made a bid to conquer Samarqand from his uncle. He won the city twice but lost it in no time on both the occasions. The second time the Uzbek chief, Shaibani Khan, was called in to help oust Babur; Shaibani defeated Babur and conquered Samarqand.
3. In which of the following year Babur conquered Kabul?
a.1494
b.1504
c.1524
d.1526
Answer: b
Explanation: After losing Samarqand to Shaibani, Babur forced to move towards Kabul which he conquered in 1504. For the next 14 years, Babur kept hiding his time for the re-conquest for his homeland from the Uzbeks.
4. In the war of Khanwa, Rana Sanga fought battle with which of the following Mughal ruler:
a.Babur
b.Humayun
c.Akbar
d.Jahangir
Answer: a
Explanation:
The battle of Khanwa was fought between Babur and Rana Sanga in 1527. The battle of Khanwa secured Babur's position in the Delhi-Agra region. Babur strengthened his position further by conquering the chain of forts—Gwalior, Dholpur; etc., east of Agra. He also annexed large parts of Alwar from Hasan Khan Mewati. He then led a campaign against Medini Rai of Chanderi in Malwa.
5. In which of the following language Babur had written his memoir?
a.Urdu
b.Persian
c.Turkish
d.Arabic
Answer: c
Explanation:
Babur was deeply learned in Persian and Arabic, and is regarded as one of the two most famous writers in the Turkish language which was his mother tongue. As a prose writer he had no equal, and his famous memoirs, the Tuzuk -i- Baburi is considered one of the classics or world literature. His other works include a masnavi and the Turkish translation of a well-known Sufi work.
6. Consider the following statements regarding the significance of Babur’s way of ruling an empire:
I.Babur was always prepared to share the hardships with his soldiers.
II.Babur had a streak of cruelty, probably inherited from his ancestors, for he made towers of skulls from the heads of his opponents on a number of occasions.
III.Babur introduced a new concept of the state which was to be based on the strength and prestige of the Crown, absence or religious and sectarian bigotry, and the careful fostering or culture and the fine arts.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a.Only I
b.I and II
c.II and III
d.All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Babur was fond of wine and good company. At the same time, he was a stern disciplinarian and a hard taskmaster. He took good care of his begs, and was prepared to excuse many of their faults as long as they were loyal. He was prepared to adopt the same attitude towards his Afghan and Indian nobles. However, he did have a streak of cruelty, probably inherited from his ancestors, for he made towers of skulls from the heads of his opponents on a number of occasions. These, and other instances of personal cruelty, have to be seen in the context of the harsh times in which Babur lived.
7.Humayun ascended the throne in which of the following year?
a.1529
b.1530
c.1531
d.1532
Answer: b
Explanation:
After the death of Babur in 1530, Humayun ascended the throne in same year at the age of 23. When Humayun ascended the throne at Agra, the empire included Kabul and Qandhar, while there was loose control over Badakhshan beyond the Hindukush Mountains. Kabul and Qandhar were under the charge of Humayun's younger brother, Kamran. It was only natural that they should remain in his charge. However, Kamran was not satisfied with these poverty-stricken areas. He marched on to Lahore and Multan, and occupied them.
8. Babur was defeated in the battle of Chausa by which of the following ruler?
a.Kamran
b.Ibrahim Lodhi
c.Sher Shah Suri
d.Bahdur Shah
Answer: c
Explanation:
Humayun was defeated in Chausa War by Sher Khan (Sher Shah Suri) on June 26, 1539. During the period Humayun divided his army into two parts and ordered Askari to take charge of the first division and proceed ahead. One of the divisions was under his personal command marched a few miles behind. The two divisions joined at Munger, and here, contrary to the advice of his seasoned officers, Humayun crossed the Ganga to its southern bank and took the old Grand Trunk Road, which was thoroughly under Sher Khan’s control, towards Agra. This move of Humayun considered as a great mistake. The vigilant Afghan scouts regularly communicated to their master the movements of the Mughals army. It was the blunder on the part of Humayun which enabled Sher Khan to decide upon an open contest with him. The emperor, however, could not keep to the GT Road and near Bihiya he was obliged to cross the Ganga back to its northern bank.
9.What was the original name of Sher Shah Suri?
a.Sher Khan
b.Farid
c.Shah Suri
d.Askari
Answer: b
Explanation:
Sher Shah ascended the throne of Delhi at the ripe age of 67. We do not know much about his early life. His original name was Farid and his father was a small jagirdar at Jaunpur. Farid acquired rich administrative experience by looking after the affairs of his father's jagir. Following the defeat and death of Ibrabim Lodi and the confusion in Afghan affairs, he emerged as one of the most important Afghan sardars. The title of Sher Khan was given to him by his patron for killing a tiger (sher).
10. Sher Shah’s last campaign was against which of the following cities?
a.Ajmer
b.Kanauj
c.Agra
d.Kalinjar
Answer: d
Explanation:
Sher Shah’s last campaign was against Kalinjar, a strong fort that was the key to Bundelkhand. During the siege, a gun burst severely injured Sher Shah. He died in 1545 after he heard that the fort had been captured. He was succeeded by his second son, Islam Shah, who ruled till 1553.
11.The historical work, Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi is belonged to which of the following writer:
a.Al-Biruni
b.Abbas Khan
c.Abdur Razzaq
d.Bernier
Answer: b
Explanation:
The Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi (history of Sher Shah) dating 1580 CE, is a historical work compiled by Abbas Khan Sarwani, a waqia-navis under Mughal Emperor Akbar, detailing the rule of Sher Shah Suri. The work was commissioned by Akbar to provide detailed documentation about Sher Shah's administration - Akbar's father Humayun had been defeated by Sher Shah.
12.The Grand Trunk road was rebuilt by Sher Shah to connect which of the following places of western and eastern regions of India respectively?
a.River Indus to Sonargaon in Bengal
b.Jammu Kashmir to Delhi
c.Delhi to Bengal
d.Agra to Bengal
Answer: a
Explanation:
Sher Shah paid great attention to the fostering or trade and commerce and the improvement of communications in his kingdom. Sher Shah restored the old imperial road called the Grand Trunk Road, from the river Indus in the west to Sonargaon in Bengal. He also built a road from Agra to Jodhpur and Chittor, evidently linking up with the road to the Gujarat seaports. He built a third road from Lahore to Multan. Multan was at that time the staging point for caravans going to West and Central Asia.
13. Consider the following statement regarding the Sarai built by Sher Shah for convenience of travellers:
I.The sarai was a fortified lodging or inn where travellers could pass the night and also keep their goods in safe custody.
II.Separate lodgings for Hindus and Muslims were provided in these sarais.
III.Brahmanas were appointed for providing bed and food to the Hindu travellers, and grains for their horses.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a.Only I
b.I and II
c.II and III
d.All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
For the convenience of travellers, Sher Shah built a sarai at a distance or every two kos (about eight kin) on these roads. The sarai was a fortified lodging or inn where travellers could pass the night and also keep their goods in safe custody. Separate lodgings for Hindus and Muslims were provided in these sarais. Brahmanas were appointed for providing bed and food to the Hindu travellers, and grains for their horses. Abbas Khan says, “It was a rule in these sarais that whoever entered them received provision suitable to his rank, and food and litter for his cattle, from government. Efforts were made to settle villages around the sarais, and the land was set apart in these villages for the expenses of the sarais. Every Sarai had several watchmen under the control of a Shahna (custodian).
