UPSC Prelims 2022
Medieval History Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — Sayyids

The Sayyids were revered in Muslim society as descendants of Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima. During the Delhi Sultanate period, they wore a distinctive pointed cap called 'kulah', earning them the title 'KulahDaran' (cap-wearers). Even during Timur's devastating invasion of India in 1398, he specifically spared the lives of Sayyids despite his general policy of massacre, demonstrating their special status in Islamic society.

📝 Short Notes: Social Classes in Delhi Sultanate

• Sayyids (KulahDaran): Claimed descent from Prophet Muhammad through Fatima; wore pointed caps (kulah); enjoyed special privileges and respect; protected even during Timur's invasion
• Shaikhs: Arab Muslims and their descendants who settled in India; considered high in social hierarchy
• Qalandars: Muslim mendicant mystics who rejected conventional religious practices; often wandering ascetics
• Ulema: Islamic scholars and religious leaders who interpreted Sharia law
• Khuddams: Turkish nobles who formed the ruling elite in early Delhi Sultanate
• Social Hierarchy: Sayyids and Shaikhs → Foreign Muslims (Turks, Afghans, Persians) → Indian Muslims (converts) → Non-Muslims

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 2 only

This question tests knowledge of Mongol invasions during the Delhi Sultanate period. Only Statement 2 is correct, as the Mongol siege of Delhi in 1303 CE occurred during Ala-ud-din Khalji's reign, while the other statements contain factual errors regarding the timeline and rulers.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The first Mongol invasion of India occurred in 1221 CE under Genghis Khan during the reign of Iltutmish (1211-1236 CE), not Jalal-ud-din Khalji (1290-1296 CE).

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: In 1303 CE, during Ala-ud-din Khalji's reign (1296-1316 CE), a massive Mongol army led by Targhi besieged Delhi, forcing the Sultan to take refuge in Siri Fort for several months.

❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq (1325-1351 CE) successfully repelled Mongol invasions early in his reign and never lost northwestern territories to them; instead, he even planned an ambitious Khurasan expedition against Mongol territories.

📝 Short Notes: Mongol Invasions of India (13th-14th Century)

• Ala-ud-din Khalji's Counter-Measures: Built Siri Fort, maintained large standing army of 4,75,000 cavalry, appointed Ghazi Malik (later Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq) as frontier governor
• Impact: Mongol threat shaped Delhi Sultanate's military policies, fortification strategies, and economic reforms (especially Ala-ud-din's price control and military reforms)
• Settlements: Some Mongol groups were converted and settled in India (called 'New Muslims' or Neo-Muslims), though Ala-ud-din later massacred many due to rebellion fears

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — Coins

The term "Fanam" in medieval India referred to a gold or silver coin that was widely used in South India, particularly in regions like the Vijayanagara Empire, the Nayakas of Madurai, and various Deccan states. It was a small denomination currency used extensively in trade and commerce from the medieval period until the 19th century.

📝 Short Notes: Medieval Indian Coinage

• Fanam: A gold/silver coin primarily used in South India (Vijayanagara Empire, Madurai Nayakas, Travancore, Mysore); continued until British period in some regions
• Tanka: Silver coin introduced by Iltutmish of Delhi Sultanate; became standard currency in North India
• Jital: Copper coin used during Delhi Sultanate period for smaller transactions
• Hun: Small copper coin used in various regional kingdoms; 1 Tanka = 48 Jitals or multiple Huns
• Pagoda (Varaha): Gold coin of South India, especially Vijayanagara Empire; featured Hindu deities
• Rupiya: Silver coin introduced by Sher Shah Suri (1540-1545); standardized by Akbar; became foundation of modern rupee

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — Only two pairs

This question tests the knowledge of Indian medieval dynasties and their rulers. Out of the four pairs given, only Pair 1 (Nannuka-Chandela) and Pair 3 (Nagabhata II-Gurjara-Pratihara) are correctly matched, while Pairs 2 and 4 have incorrect dynasty associations.

✅ Pair 1 – Correct: Nannuka was the founder of the Chandela dynasty in the 9th century CE, which ruled over the Bundelkhand region.
❌ Pair 2 – Incorrect: Jayashakti belonged to the Chandela dynasty (he was the son of Kirtivarman), not the Paramara dynasty.
✅ Pair 3 – Correct: Nagabhata II (circa 805-833 CE) was a prominent ruler of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty who successfully defended against Arab invasions.
❌ Pair 4 – Incorrect: Bhoja (circa 1010-1055 CE) was the most illustrious ruler of the Paramara dynasty of Malwa, not the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

📝 Short Notes: Major Medieval Indian Dynasties

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — The best means of salvation was devotion.

Ramanuja (11th-12th century CE) was a prominent Vaishnavite philosopher who propounded the philosophy of Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Non-dualism). His central teaching emphasized that salvation (moksha) is best achieved through intense devotion (bhakti) to a personal God (Vishnu/Narayana) and divine grace, rather than through mere knowledge or ritualistic practices.

✅ Option 1 – Correct: Ramanuja's core teaching was that bhakti (devotion) is the supreme path to salvation, complemented by God's grace.

❌ Option 2 – Incorrect: While Ramanuja respected the Vedas, this statement more accurately reflects the views of Mimamsa school or orthodox Vedic philosophy, not Ramanuja's distinctive teaching.

❌ Option 3 – Incorrect: Emphasis on logical arguments as essential means for the highest bliss is characteristic of the Nyaya school of philosophy, not Ramanuja's bhakti-centered approach.

❌ Option 4 – Incorrect: Meditation as the primary means of salvation is more aligned with Patanjali's Yoga philosophy or Advaita Vedanta of Shankara, not Ramanuja's devotional path.

📝 Short Notes: Ramanuja and Vishishtadvaita Philosophy

• Period: 11th-12th century CE (1017-1137 CE approximately)
• Philosophy: Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Non-dualism) - Individual souls and the world are real and are attributes of Brahman, but remain distinct
• Core Teaching: Bhakti (devotion) to a personal God (Vishnu) as the supreme path to moksha
• Concept of God: Personal God (Saguna Brahman) - Vishnu/Narayana with qualities, both transcendent and immanent
• Path to Salvation: Prapatti (self-surrender) and Bhakti (devotion), aided by God's grace (prasada)
• Key Works: Sri Bhashya (commentary on Brahma Sutras), Gita Bhashya, Vedartha Sangraha
• Influence: Inspired the Bhakti movement in South India; promoted social equality and temple worship accessibility
• Contrast with Shankara: Unlike Shankara's Advaita (absolute non-dualism with nirguna Brahman), Ramanuja accepted the reality of individual souls and the material world as real attributes of God

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — Akbar

Nizamuddin Panipati, a Persian scholar, translated the "Yogavasistha" into Persian during the reign of Emperor Akbar (1556-1605). This translation was part of Akbar's ambitious cultural policy to promote the translation of Sanskrit classics into Persian, the administrative language of the Mughal Empire. Akbar's court witnessed the translation of numerous works including the Mahabharata (as Razmnama), Ramayana, and various other religious and philosophical texts to facilitate intellectual exchange and religious harmony.

📝 Short Notes: Translations during Akbar's Reign

• Maktab Khana (Translation Bureau): Established by Akbar to translate Sanskrit, Arabic, Greek, and other works into Persian.
• Yogavasistha: A philosophical text in the form of a dialogue between Sage Vasistha and Prince Rama, translated by Nizamuddin Panipati.
• Razmnama: Persian translation of the Mahabharata completed in 1589, with contributions from scholars like Badauni and Faizi.
• Ramayana: Translated into Persian as "Ramayana" under Akbar's patronage.
• Atharva Veda: Translated by Haji Ibrahim Sirhindi.
• Akbar's Vision: These translations reflected his policy of Sulh-i-Kul (universal peace) and intellectual syncretism.